Plan Ahead
The symptoms and the illness are not the same thing. The illness exists long before the symptoms appear. Rather than being the cause of the illness, the symptoms are the beginning of its treatment. The fact that they are unwanted makes them all the more a phenomenon of grace - a gift of God, a message from the unconscious, if you will, to initiate self-examination and repair. --- Morgan Scott Peck, The Road Less Travelled
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I. Curative Treatments
A. Signs of Spiritual Weakness/Sickness
- Lost appetite and hunger for God
- Continue with usual routine but feeling powerless, downcast, and lethargic
Possible causes of spiritual lethargy
- forsaking regular spiritual exercises/disciplines
- carrying emotional baggage of past offences
Spiritual weakness:
- almost impossible for us to resist temptations
- increase the likelihood of us sinning
B. Steps to Spiritual Restoration
1. Acknowledge Our Spiritual Sickness
American psychiatrist Morgan Scott Peck remarks that "it is easier for us to try and forget a problem that we know exists than to deal with it." He reveals a crucial reality regarding our troubles. Sin will never go away if we do not treat the issue. It will rot and reappear in a different form or later when you are unaware. --- Forerunner Commentary, BibleTools.org
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.--- Pr 28:13
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. --- 1 Jn 1:9
2. Repent Before God
- to change your mind;
- a change of heart, a turning away from the love of sin, and a deliberate choice to walk in God's way
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord. --- Is 55:7
and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. --- 2 Ch 7:14
3. Discern and Pick Up From Where You Have Fallen
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. --- Re 2:4-5
We need the discerning power of the Holy Spirit to identify the point we have fallen and seal up the entry point of weakness/sin.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. --- 1 Co 10:13
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II. Preventive Treatments
A. Be Watchful
The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I came so they may have abundant life. --- Jn 10:10
Whoever thinks he is standing, let him beware lest he falls.--- 1 Co 10:12
B. Spiritual Disciplines
... discipline yourself for godliness. --- 1 Ti 4:7
- gymnazo - where we get the English word gymnastic
Jesus practiced Spiritual Disciplines!
1. Feed on the Word of God
Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out through the mouth of God. --- Mt 4:4
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. --- Ro 10:17
The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. --- Ep 6:17
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. --- Ps 119:28
2. Be Filled Continuously With the Holy Spirit
The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up. --- 1 Co 14:4a
Strengthen yourselves through prayer in the Sacred Spirit and your most holy faith. --- Jude 20
3. Fellowship in Community
It's more blessed to give than to receive. --- Ac 20:35
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Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should. --- Ps 90:12, TLB